Local business leaders, meanwhile, warned that another “no” vote could have a chilling effect on development.

“Any time we backslide ... it sends a negative message to the outside world that Springfield is not for development and not for growth,” said Rob Dixon, vice president of business assistance at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

It’s a concern shared, or at least acknowledged, by several on the City Council.

“I think it sends a negative message to potential developers at a time when development dollars are so scarce,” said Councilman Jerry Compton.

Compton said the details of a particular project are important — he voted against the Ravenwood rezoning request in 2011 but in favor of the hotel proposal near Millwood Park — but when a proposal complies with city plans and policies, it ought to be approved.

“If we don’t like the policy, perhaps we should revisit the policy,” he said. “But in this particular case ... it falls in line as far as what we’ve set out in our comprehensive plan.”

Councilman Jeff Seifried, too, stressed the importance of “respecting the process” as well as input from city staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Both have recommended the Hy-Vee project be approved.

(Page 2 of 4)

“I would just hope we don’t get the reputation where we stop respecting our planning and zoning process and no one outside this market can be certain when it comes to development of any kind,” he said.

Whether deserved or not, the concern among the business community appears to be genuine, said Councilman John Rush.

“It does seem to be a bigger issue with Hy-Vee than it was with the two hotels ... I think three strikes is a good analogy,” he said. “The business community particularly are perceiving a pattern here, that we’ll take into account the neighborhood over economic development.”

'Every piece of property is different'

Others counseled against reading too much into past decisions.

“There does seem to be more of a magnifying glass on this vote because of those previous votes ... but realistically, I’m not sure that anybody can draw conclusions about consistency based on zoning matters — every piece of property is different,” said Councilman Doug Burlison.

Still, Burlison said he is “more sympathetic” to Hy-Vee’s position in this case and shares concerns about eroding the city’s reputation as business-friendly.

“A lot of us (campaigned) on promises to put a priority on jobs and economic development,” he said. “For us to be able to still be able to toss our hat in that ring and get businesses locating here, I think we need to tread very carefully on this upcoming vote.”

Mayor Bob Stephens, too, disputed the idea that the council’s votes on the Ravenwood and Millwood Park rezoning requests were indication of a change in philosophy.

“I think every council member will look at each project on its own merits,” he said, adding that both hotel proposals — the work of the same developer — were hampered by similar problems. “I think folks are seeing a trend in one project being rejected twice.”

Councilwoman Cindy Rushefsky, who was critical of the hotel plans, said Hy-Vee’s efforts to appease neighbors have made a difference.

“If (hotel developer Earl Steinert Jr.) had been a little more willing to work with the neighborhood, we wouldn’t have had a problem,” she said.

(Page 3 of 4)

Hy-Vee, in contrast, has “been exemplary in terms of trying to make accommodations,” she said.

“I am generally for protecting neighborhoods ...,” Rushefsky said. “But if (Hy-Vee) is going to do everything we’re going to ask them to do, I don’t know how we can say no.”

Stephens, meanwhile, cautioned against oversimplifying the dispute.

“What I hate about this whole issue is it is cast as neighborhoods versus development, and that’s really not the issue,” he said. “The issue is, should the zoning on that property be changed to commercial.”

In this case, he thinks the change is appropriate.

“I understand where the neighbors are coming from, but it’s a situation where there’s commercial (development) across the street… there’s commercial on either side of this piece of property,” Stephens said, predicting similar disputes as the city matures.

“Springfield has fewer and fewer plots of land that are undeveloped, and they are not going to be surrounded by undeveloped land.”

'There are plenty of other locations'

“I think that’s just a shallow argument,” he said, pointing to Springfield’s relatively low unemployment and other recent or planned construction projects. “If this doesn’t pass at that location, Hy-Vee’s not gonna put a ‘sold’ sign on their door on Battlefield Road and go back to Iowa. They’ll find another location.”

Arguments based on tax revenue, jobs or Hy-Vee’s philanthropy also ring hollow, as well, he said.

“It’s not new money. It’s the same groceries being sold at different stores, same tax dollars,” he said. “For me, none of it matters, except you’re trying to take a 15-acre footprint and put it on a 10-acre residential lot, surrounded by a neighborhood on three sides ...

“There are plenty of other locations where you don’t have to intrude into a neighborhood to build a store.”

Bailes, whose district includes the affected area, said he’s trying to represent the overwhelming view of residents there. But his opposition, and theirs, may not be enough to prevent the property from being rezoned.

(Page 4 of 4)

Neighbors gathered the signatures necessary for a protest petition, meaning a minimum of six votes are needed for the rezoning request to pass.

Because of Councilman Tom Bieker’s resignation Friday, only eight council members remain, meaning just three ‘no’ votes are enough to defeat the proposal.

Other than Bailes, most council members said they’re inclined to vote yes.

“Frankly, these are the hardest decisions for me as a council person to make, because they affect so many lives in a significant way,” said Rush, who voted against both hotel rezoning requests. “But Sunshine is different. Sunshine is a commercial area, and continued development there is somewhat more significant than on the edge of town … We’ve got to keep that a vibrant part of our community.”

Councilwoman Jan Fisk, meanwhile, said she’s not yet made up her mind.

“If we’re going to grow, we have to put out the ‘open for business’ sign,” she said. “I’ve been impressed with Hy-Vee ... but I’m also really sensitive to the neighborhood.”